New city committee formed to oversee Forest Llewellyn Cemetery

The Kirksville City Council unanimously voted to create a Friends of the Forest Llewellyn Cemetery Committee Monday and in other business approved purchases of a new animal control vehicle and three lot splits and a rezoning request.

The city will soon take delivery of a new 2013 3/4-ton Ford F-150 pickup truck with an installed animal control cage for about $33,000 with its current vehicle having logged more than 200,000 miles.

Council approved the selection of the local bid of $32,761 from Lovegreen Ford over a low bid of $32,597 due to the local bidder being within 2.5 percent of the low bid from Republic Ford.

The Council also voted to create a new city committee focused on supporting and maintaining the city’s cemetery at Forest Llewellyn. The committee is comprised of Dwight Buckingham, Betty McLane-Iles, Jason Haxton and Larry Olson.

“This will be a group of citizens who will help us pay attention to the cemetery and help with education and fundraising and events throughout the year,” said City Manager Mari Macomber.

Future plans could include long-term maintenance, repairs to monuments and tombs, replacement of dead trees and renovation of the cemetery entryway.

Council also approved the use of city streets and property for three upcoming events including the 1000 Hills Bass Club use of Forest Lake and Hazel Creek Lake for the club’s four scheduled tournaments, the use of downtown city streets for the annual Kirksville Arts Association’s Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival as well as the St. Patty’s Day Parade and 5K run.

Meeting glance

Notes from last night’s council meeting:

Council unanimously approved the lot split of land located at 1212 Michigan St., 1702 N. Elson St., and 2513 Sawgrass St., as well as a rezoning of a tract located at 1009 E. Pierce St. from R-2 two-family residential to CP-1 Planned Local Business District zoning.

Council approved the purchase of pipe and pipe fittings for new water line construction and repairs from Water and Sewer Supply for next year for the cost of about $130,000.